LocalSportsJournal.com

A rough third period caused the Muskegon Lumberjacks to stumble into the 2023 New Year on Saturday night.

The Lumberjacks allowed four unanswered third-period goals to Team USA in a 7-3 New Year’s Eve meltdown at Trinity Health Arena.

Muskegon traded blows with Team USA through the first and second period as the Lumberjacks got on the board first.

Ethan Fredericks gave Muskegon a 1-0 lead on David Hymovitch and Jacob Terpstra assists, early in the first period.

The Lumberjacks weren’t able to hold on to the lead as Team USA tallied a Christian Humphreys goal before the end of the first and a Brendan McMorrow goal to start the second period.

Ethan Whitcomb evened the score at 2-2 for Muskegon off helpers from Jake Richard and Owen Mehlenbacher.

After Team USA responded with a Teddy Stiga goal, Muskegon’s Michael Callow tied the score at 3-3 to end the second period.

Muskegon’s third-period meltdown started with a Team USA goal by Austin Baker. Brodie Ziemer tallied two third period goals and Cole Hutson added one.

Muskegon is now 13-12-2, good enough for a fifth-place tie with Youngstown. Chicago holds the first-place spot of the Eastern Conference with 40 points.

The Lumberjacks next head to Chicago on Friday and Saturday for a short road trip and will be home January 13 and 14 to face Youngstown.

Check out photos from the action shot by Sondra Workman.